89 Chapter 11: God is all love

Hello guys! English, it is not my motherly language, I'm French so I apologize if there are some mistakes. Don't hesitate to tell me where they are so that I can improve.

This is my first full length fiction, with chapters, I hope it will please you. It is a AU where Katherine Howard does not marry Henry and where Cromwell is spared. Instead of Katherine, Henry marries a french noble lady, on the advice of Cromwell.

I hope my little story will please you..

Sincerely

Marina Ka-Fai

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The French Bride

Chapter 11: God is all love

' Her Grace, Lady Mary Brandon, Your Majesty.'

Mary bowed deeply in front of her father.

' Mary, my sweet pearl! How are you? And your husband, does he treat you well? Are you happy in Suffolk?' Henry asked, impatient to hear from the Brandons

' We are all very well and I am more than happy, I could not have a more respectful husband. I thank again Your Majesty.' Mary answered, trully touched by this concern

' Why are you thanking me Mary? Is not it a father's duty to make sure that his daughters are well and happy in their lives?'

Such a question surprised Mary. Not so long ago, it seemed that her father did not care that much for his girls. But when Marina arrived, everything changed in a better way. Mary thought that her stepmother was what England needed the most.

' How is Her Majesty? I hope she is not too bad because of her pregnancy.' She asked

' The Queen is very well, impatient to see our children. Your brother, Edward, is with her. He could not wait to give her the surprise he made for her.'

It made the young lady smile. Edward and Elizabeth were for a long time the only ray of light in her sad life. But her father gave her a new sun.

' And what about you Mary? Are you thinking of having a child soon?'

Mary froze. Of course. A child. She wanted to have one but she feared so much! She respected her husband but she did not feel ready. She had a huge chance, Charles understood her well.

' My husband and I are thinking of a baby, though Charles told me not to pressure myself with this matter, he wants me to adjust myself to my new life. We shall see afterwards.'

Henry thought it was very wise. Nothing at all could have angered him this day. There was only good news. First, Thomas Culpepper was officially engaged to Katherine. There was rumors that she was already pregnant by him but it was rumors after all. More important, a famous and talented astrologist came to see Marina and he predicted for them two sons and a daughter. Even if he was overjoyed, he decided to not to take this too seriously. An astrologist predicted that Elizabeth was to be a boy. But he did not say it to his wife, she looked so happy when she knew she was carrying two dukes.

' I am going to have lunch with Her Majesty, would you like to come Mary? Surely she will be delighted. And I am almost certain that Elizabeth and Edward will be there. A meal with my entire family.'

' It will be very pleasant.'

Father and daughter made their way to Marina's rooms. When they arrived, Edward was showing to his stepmother the poem he wrote for her in French.

' I did it myself, with no help!' The young boy said, very proud of him.

' This is trully good, you can be proud of you Your Grace! I thank you with all my heart!'

' I'll do one for each my siblings!'

Edward looked trully happy, he smiled more and more. Elizabeth was reading the poem with Marina.

' It is very well done Edward.' She congratulated

' It seems that our son is to be a great French speaker.' Henry said with a smile.

All of the three people got up and bowed, Marina did the best she could in her condition.

' We will eat in family today.' The king announced

Marina smiled to this idea. They all sat around the table. Edward was at his father's side, on Henry's right. On his left was Mary. Elizabeth was on Edward's right and Marina facing her husband. Henry asked to Elizabeth and Edward to tell him about their day. It was delightful for him. Then, Mary was asked to tell about her new life with Charles.

' I cannot wait to have my nephew in my arms!' Edward said playfully.

' And if it was a niece Edward, would you be hapy?' Elizabeth asked

' Of course! I would love her the same way I would love a boy.'

Mary laughed a bit, Edward was so innocent! Henry took it very well, after all, the question was by far intelligent.

' Have you thought about names Sweetheart?' Henry asked to his wife

' Indeed. I think our firstborn son should be named Henry.'

Henry nodded before asking for the name of the second boy.

' I am not certain it is a royal name but I like the sound of it though.' She hesitated

' Do share.'

' I was thinking of Lloyd.'

' Indeed, it is not very common, but after all, we aren't common as well, are we? Prince Lloyd Tudor. It sounds great for me. And if it pleases you to name him Lloyd, then, he shall be named this way.'

Marina smiled, thanking him.

' May I ask a question, Your Majesty?' Mary asked

' Of course, Mary.'

' Did you think of a name for a girl?'

' Eleanor.'

Quite obvious.

' It may surprise you but I also have a name in mind Sweetheart.' Henry declared

It stunned Mary and Elizabeth. Their father, thinking of a baby girl?

' I was thinking of naming our daughter Harmony. Since everything here got better and are harmonious since you arrived.'

' This is lovely. If it is your desire, she shall be known as Harmony. It sounds very good to me.'

Henry called with a small move of his hand a servant who brought him a letter.

' I have a surprise for you, Marina.' He declared, showing her the paper.

When she read it, a bright smile of happiness came to her face.

' This is marvellous!'

' As promised, an alliance shall be formed with France and Francis is to come. He wants to see you.'

The young queen could not be more happy. Francis, her brother of heart was to be in England! No word could come in her mouth.

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' Cromwell!' Henry yelled at his secretary who stopped and bowed.

' Majesty?'

Henry walked a bit with him.

' Francis is to come here, I want you to organize the whole thing! It must be luxuous, honnouring France and my beloved Queen. '

' I will do whatever it takes.'

Bishop Gardiner arrived.

' Your Grace?'

' Your Majesty, heresy has spread to Her Majesty's household.'

' Who is guilty?'

' Lady Joan Bulmer, one of Her Majesty's ladies in waiting.'

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The death warrant against Joan Bulmer shocked Katherine and Marina. Joan, a lutherian? Marina never understood why it was so important. Catholics, lutherians, what was the difference? They all loved God and wanted to serve him. Religious executions, as far as she was concerned, always broke people's lives, it made sadness and anger survive through years. She wanted to try to save Joan but when she was still in France, waiting for her departure, she was told not to meddle into Henry's affairs, especially when it came to religion. After all, it killed Anne Boleyn.

' Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality.'

She had to try. Joan was a kind girl, obediant and hard-working. This was why she sent to her husband a request.

« [...] I beg Your Gracious Majesty to spare Lady Joan Bulmer, who always served me with the deepest respect and always gave me a complete satisfaction. »

Henry did not know how to react. Marina wasn't the kind of capricious girl at all, it was very rare that she asked for someting. And he spared Catherine Brooks after all. But heresy was a serious matter. He feread that if he spared to many lutherians, heresy was going to spoil his realm. What was Marina's point of view? It seemed she gave him an answer in her writing.

« Lutherians, Catholics, what is the difference? They all love God and want to serve him. They are convinced that there is but one Jesus Christ. All the rest are details and interpretations. »

He decided to pay her a visit to have a talk with her. He knew that was the expression of a kind heart but he wanted to know what she thought.

' I have recieved your request. You know, you could have told me at dinner.'

' I did not want to spoil your resting time with matter of religion.'

He smiled, that was very sweet of her.

' Can you explain me this sentence?'

Marina read it.

' I know how much religion matters to you, as I know that there is a kind of religous war in our realm. And I do believe it is destroying England. People are certainly fearing. God certainly does not want such a thing since he is all love.'

' In your opinion, what should we do?'

' We should stop burning lutherians. We should accept them. Luther's ideas made their way into people's mind, even if we loathe it. I think we should tolerate them, letting them practice their faith freely as long as they are discreet and respectful towards Catholics. It would bring a moment of peace. But Catholics should be respectful to Lutherians as well. Both should be equal, since we are all God's children.'

Trying to bring stabily and peace through sweetnes and tolerance? That was bold but quite clever.

' Your kind heart and your tolerance are incredible.'

Marina blushed, saying that she just tried to follow God's command through the Bible.

' Your idea is quite new but it worths a try. We shall call this law the law of Queen Marina. And Joan shall be forgiven.'

' Thank you, Henry.'

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Henry's new law shocked a lot of hard Catholics. How could the queen think that? Her arguments were valid and she appread as the kindest queen England had. But still... Nevertheless, they did not expect the Lady Mary to support Marina, who she called « The most human and kind Queen on Earth. ». Lutherians kept in the Tower were released and forgiven and they all swore loyalty to Henry. The king had found new caring subjets. In the whole realm, Marina was seen as an angel of sweetness, no queen was so beloved since Catherine of Aragon. The high catholics members of the Council had to submit. The Pope himself declared that Marina was admirable.

' Girls are not as useless as we thought when it came to political affairs.' Henry conclued, facing this triumph.

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Author's note: Thankyou to everyone who reviewed, add this story under story alert or in their favourites, it made my day. Since I am not sure to update more for this story this month, I wish a merry Christmas and a happy new year to all of you. Thank you for all.